Fishing vessel owners fined following Falmouth pollution case

12:42pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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The owners of a fishing vessel have been prosecuted for an oil pollution offence in Falmouth Harbour.

Olivia Jean Ltd were taken to court by Falmouth Harbour Commissioners as a result of an incident on September 17 last year.

While refuelling from the bunker barge at Falmouth Jubilee, the fishing vessel Olivia Jean spilt oil overboard into the harbour area, causing an oil slick.

Last Thursday, at Camborne Magistrates Court, Olivia Jean Ltd were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling over £6,000 after the court heard a guilty plea to pollution charges under the Merchant Shipping Act.

Dave Townson, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' regulation officer who investigated the incident, said: "We are very pleased with the result of this case. We take any oil spill extremely seriously. We hope that this fine will remind harbour users of the importance of managing their refuelling effectively."

Falmouth's Harbour Master, Captain Mark Sansom, added: "Taking cases like this to court is part of our role as a regulatory enforcement body. The safety of our harbour, facilities and services is our priority and infringements of regulations will be investigated fully."